Many of the thousands of migrant children crossing into the U.S. are not being turned away immediately because of a 2008 law — signed by President George W. Bush and passed with bipartisan support — requiring that they get an immigration hearing.

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Comments (28)

July 10, 2014 @ 8:49 a.m.

E. Quote

In the article (on the trib) 'Perry, Obama Discuss Solutions to Immigration Crisis' it is reported that 'Perry also suggested tweaking current federal policies that prevent unaccompanied minors from countries other than Canada and Mexico from being immediately deported.' IF that is accurate (it was not in quoted in the article) then is Perry advocating that the President disregard the provisions of Federal Law (the law mentioned in this article). Do you support any President 'tweaking' law for either practical or political purposes? Both Obama and Perry should advocate that Congress amend the law to allow faster processing. In many if not most that should mean faster deportation. The trouble with Congress is that it writes very few laws that can be administered as written, that's why agencies go through an elaborate rulemaking process, which slows and complicates implementation.Take a look at what the INS requirements under the law at http://www.uscis.gov/green-card/special-immigrant-juveniles/special-immigrant-juveniles-sij-status --- cumbersome, tell your Congressman to do his/her job and streamline that law. Paying for capture, detention, processing and deportation, well that's another issue. How many Americans (US citizens) are willing to pay higher taxes or borrow money for that purpose?

Deporting OTM* (*other than Mexican) kids for humanitarian reasons or otherwise may seem expensive, but what is even more expensive & disturbing are these waves of human children arriving (sent by family) in hopes of attaining permanent residency here for a better life. Once established in the US, these immigrant children will be provided so many benefits not afforded in their countries of origin as a right, so the risk is seen as worthy. This policy is not sustainable (or intended) but must be immediately addressed at the federal level if it is going to cease.

Imagine sending your 10 or 12 year old (or younger) out on such a life altering adventure, real life "Survivor" or "Hunger Games". I cannot imagine the circumstances that would lead so many to seek this option unless they believe the odds for success are in their favor & domestic circumstances so desperate.

The message of "send your Central American kids and they will be accepted as refugees in the US & you can join them later" is being used to facilitate this pilgrimage. It was done effectively in the 80's but not with kids alone as is the case today.

Real human trafficking abuse, political asylum policy, and plain old illegal immigration (those seeking jobs) make addressing the topic even more difficult since many want to seal the border and many want to allow humanitarian entry to occur with no limits. Status quo is not working and no consensus appears forthcoming on how to address legal residency for those not invited to the US, but come anyway. Good times.

Good grief, it's sad how righties can't focus on a solution but only on blaming the current President for everything. I find more Christian values in the life of a fence post than I do in today's conservatives.

Steve Fields said: "HERE WE GO AGAIN---"...Bush did it too,..""...Bush did it too...""Bush did it too,...""Bush did it too..."-----BOH's answer to everything, AGAIN , & AGAIN, & AGAIN..........etc, etc, etc,"

Steve, a big part of the problem is the 2008 LAW. A law must be passed by both houses of Congress as well as being signed by the President. Bush did sign the bill into law, but you can't blame him. Congress wrote the law so they are mostly to blame. The law itself was likely passed with the best intentions, but the way it has been implemented is a part of the present problem. I doubt anyone imagined how it would apply given the present conditions. Neither Bush nor Obama is to blame and neither is the intent of Congress (S!!! happens), but only Congress can correct the flaws in the law. The big question is why doesn't Congress do so. 'Securing' the border alone is only a part of the answer, there are many illegals here that must be 'processed'. I doubt the current appropriation to INS is adequate to handle the workload in a fast an efficient manner. Any 'solution' will require Congressional action (amending law and appropriating funds-per the Constitution). What we really need may not be possible -- that is politicians forgoing politics and solving problems.

No, I'm a prolife conservative... I have no problem with humanitarian treatment and assistance to these children, but they need to return home. The poverty, violence, etc in Central America is no greater than it has been in the past. I do know families who are running for their lives from the cartels, but they're still going thru the process legally. Personally, I'm not interested in Obama fixing anything... But rather him allowing BP and DHS to do their jobs in the most expeditious way possible.

There is a bill sponsored by Rep McAllen introduced to the house in May 2013. Speaker of the house refuses to bring the bill up for a vote. This bill would help address the problem. Urge Perry and House Speaker and House republicans to address a bill already in the house. No wonder Obama asked for.more.money. Republican controlled house the past several years has been a house of fillibusters and has passed fewer bills than any other house. Remember government shut down. Obama may have to sign and executive order and force speaker of the house to address bills older than a year

I'll take that little one in the gray blanket. I'll love him/her and feed them until our gov't decides what should be done, but a child should not live and sleep on a floor and go hungry. It is sad. No matter your political affiliation you should still have compassion for they are but children......children of God.

Obama created this mess by executive order june 15, 2012 Heres the story in the NYT on that day

Hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants who came to the United States as children will be allowed to remain in the country without fear of deportation and able to work, under an executive action the Obama administration announced on Friday.

Administration officials said the president used existing legal authority to make the broad policy change, which could temporarily benefit more than 800,000 young people. He did not consult with Congress, where Republicans have generally opposed measures to benefit illegal immigrants.

Remind us again what the POTUS is doing currently to help this problem? Oh yeah. . ..NOTHING. . . . .can the left give up the sycophantic love affair with the worst POTUS in history and admit his failings? These the same people who hated W. .. now are praising him for his actual compassion while again . .Obama does NOTHING. . .